ERIK TEN HAG faces a huge selection headache ahead of the game against Crystal Palace.
Midfield enforcers Casemiro and Fred face being BANNED for the weekend trip to Arsenal if they are booked against the Eagles.
Casemiro and Fred face a ban for the Arsenal game if they are booked against Crystal Palace
The pair were vital in the comeback victory over Manchester City
Casemiro was everywhere against Man City
United make the trip down to Selhurst Park on Wednesday and Ten Hag will be desperate for the Brazilian duo to be on their best behaviour.
They both picked up a yellow card in the comeback victory in the Manchester derby – with Casemiro providing an assist for Bruno Fernandes’ controversial opener.
However, it means both are on four yellow cards for the season.
Premier League rules say players who receive five yellow cards within the first 19 games of the season will be slapped with a one-game ban.
United have played 18 league games.
And this means Casemiro and Fred face a ban if they are unable to keep out of the referee’s book against Palace.
Both players were vital against City, and Casemiro in particular has been a transformative figure since his arrival.
Indeed, following the 4-0 drubbing at Brentford earlier this season, Casemiro told his agent to tell United chiefs: “I’ll fix this.”
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Fred put in a strong performance in the derby
This is exactly what he has done, and it has propelled Ten Hag’s squad into the Champions League spots.
Meanwhile, Fred has been used more sparingly, with this tenacity proving useful to help close out games.
When United last faced Arsenal they ran out 3-1 winners, though both only came off the bench for that game.
That was the Gunners’ only defeat this season, and they are also fresh off the back of victory in the North London derby.
Mikel Arteta’s side currently sit nine points ahead of United, but should the Red Devils beat Palace and Arsenal they will be within three points of the league leaders – who would have a game in hand.
Given Casemiro and Fred’s influence in big games so far this season, getting a result at the Emirates could be dependent on the availability of the pair.
United will also be bolstered by the arrival of Wout Weghorst on loan.
